She smiled at her reflection in the mirror. With the rollers removed her dark hair was hanging in curls, covering her shoulders. The boning and the crystals on the dress gave her a more curvaceous shape than normal. And now, with the dress in place, her skin didn’t look quite so pale or her lips so red.
Her hands trembled as she took off her gold earrings.
Tonight she was going to a ball in the palace.
Tonight she was going to a ball with her own prince.
Just for tonight she might actually be a princess.
Just for tonight she might actually look as if she was worthy of Alex.
And tonight, for the first time, she might actually feel as if she was part of a couple—even if it was only in her head.
* * *
Alex had been pacing for the last thirty minutes, wondering when Ruby would appear.
The palace was buzzing. It had been over a year since there had been a ball at the palace. When his mother and father had ruled there had been several balls every year, all raising money for various charities.
Alex had given some instructions on which charities he wanted to support, and the various people he wanted to invite. But all the details had been dealt with by his staff.
In less than a few minutes over a thousand people would be in the palace. He had guards in all corridors, letting the guests know which areas were open to the public and which were not. The corridor that held Ruby and Annabelle certainly wasn’t.
He walked along its length, cursing himself for not saying goodnight to Annabelle earlier. He opened her door just a crack—she was already sleeping, her book and a stuffed caterpillar beside her on the bed.
He walked across the room and dropped a kiss on her forehead before quietly closing the door behind him. His fingers tightened around the black velvet box in his hands. He was still unsure. This felt right—he just didn’t know how Ruby would react.
He knocked on her door before he could change his mind.
She opened the door and met him with a smile. ‘Hi, Alex. What do you think?’
There was a tremor in her voice. An uncertainty.
He couldn’t speak. He must have the dopiest smile on his face right now. What did he think? She’d just blown him away!
Ruby was always gorgeous—usually understated, but gorgeous nonetheless. But he’d never seen Ruby the grown-up.
The scarlet dress was stunning. Elegant without giving anything way. Hugging her curves but sweeping the floor and keeping everything covered. The beads along her bodice sparkled in the dim evening light snaking through the windows. Her hair had been styled into large curls, covering her bare shoulders. She was wearing more make-up than usual, but it was perfect. Highlighting her flawless skin, dark brown eyes and red lips.
He held out the black box towards her. ‘You look almost perfect, Ruby.’
‘Almost?’
It was obvious she knew he was teasing her. She stepped forward, reaching out for the box.
He could tell she was nervous—her hands were trembling slightly. Would she know he was nervous too?
She lifted the lid and let out a little gasp. The diamonds were dazzling. The jewels on her dress paled in comparison to these. He knew instantly he’d done the right thing.
‘Alex...’ Her eyes were wide. ‘Where did these come from?’ She held up one of the earrings, its thirty hanging diamonds bright and clear.
‘They were my mother’s. I knew you were nervous about tonight. I thought it might be nice if you had something of hers to wear.’
‘You want me to wear these?’ She looked almost terrified. ‘But they must be worth a fortune.’ Her fingers went automatically to her earlobe. ‘What if I lose one?’
He shook his head and smiled. ‘You won’t. Don’t worry.’
‘But—’
‘But nothing.’ He spun her around to face the full-length mirror in the room and held up one of the earrings next to her ear. ‘Can’t you see how perfect it looks?’
She could hardly argue. Her face said exactly how she was feeling.
She put her hand up over her heart. ‘They’re beautiful. They set off the dress perfectly.’ She turned around towards him. ‘How did you know?’
‘Because my mother had impeccable taste, Ruby. It wouldn’t have mattered what you wore tonight—these earrings were always going to be a perfect match.’ He bent a little lower and whispered in her ear. ‘You have a lot in common with her.’
‘What does that mean?’
‘It means that you look beautiful.’ He pressed the earrings into her hand. ‘Here—put them on and let’s go.’
She stood in front of the mirror, putting the earrings in place, then stopped for a second to study her reflection. She was trying to calm herself. Trying to steady herself for the night ahead.
He put his arms on her shoulders. ‘You’re going to be the most beautiful woman in the room, Ruby Wetherspoon.’
He was standing by her shoulder, looking at their reflection in the glass. He knew she was nervous. He was nervous himself. Although this was meant to be a private function, nothing could ever really be private when a thousand people were involved.
This would be the first time since Sophia had died that he’d officially invited someone to be his partner. He was well aware of how some of his guests might react. But the charity ball had always been an informal occasion. In a way, it might give Ruby a taste of what could lie ahead.
He hadn’t even broached that question with her on the yacht. There had been too much more to deal with. But now the time was right.
He slid his hand into hers. ‘Are you ready? Because you look beautiful.’
She nodded slowly and touched the glittering diamonds in her ears. ‘I’m ready now.’ She sounded more confident. More sure.
He didn’t have a shadow of a doubt. His mother would have loved Ruby Wetherspoon.
* * *
The first disaster was tripping over her dress. Even though it was gorgeous, and made-to-measure, she wasn’t standing quite as straight as she should be. As a result the bottom seam of the dress kept catching on her toes.
A strong hand at her elbow stopped her face-planting on the floor. At first she thought it was Alex, but he was on her other side. A quick glance proved it to be one of the waiters, with a whole silver tray of canapés in his other hand.
He gave her a little conspiratorial nod. ‘Mind your step, m’lady.’
She gathered up part of the dress in her hand. Her stomach was turning over and over. Another waiter proffered a tray with champagne flutes
but she shook her head—champagne was the last thing she needed right now.
Alex turned and smiled at her. It was the first time she’d really seen him in formal dress. He’d been pressed up behind her next to the mirror, and she’d been so dazzled by the diamonds that she hadn’t noticed how handsome he looked. The black dress uniform suited him perfectly, with its sweeping red sash across his chest and adorned with several gold medals.
It hadn’t even occurred to her that the sash was the exact same red as her dress. Had Alex done that deliberately?
They walked through the ballroom doors side by side. It wasn’t so bad. There was no audible hush when they appeared, just a few quiet gestures and murmurs.
Alex immediately went into charm mode—working the room and talking to lots of the guests, his arm behind her, gently guiding her from person to person. Sometimes he spoke in French, sometimes in German. After the first few words she was mainly lost, and just nodded and smiled along, shaking a proffered hand when appropriate.
The diamonds had felt dazzling in her ears upstairs—if a little ostentatious—but in this room it was clear that Ruby was the least adorned woman there. Everywhere she turned there were rings the size of rocks and twinkling tiaras.
She’d recognised a few faces from royal families across Europe, all in dazzling jewels. And even the movie stars and supermodels were adorned with diamond necklaces and bracelets.
A blonde actress—one of her favourites—was right in front of her. She was immaculate, as usual, in a figure-hugging black dress high at the neck but with virtually no back. How she kept the dress in place was a mystery to Ruby.
She spun on her heels and tilted her head, unashamedly studying Ruby. Waves of discomfort washed over her, along with a distinct flow of blood to the cheeks. She was determined not to be intimidated.
She held out her hand. ‘Maria Cochette? It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m Ruby Wetherspoon.’